DOT Segment 12: South Cherry Creek Trail

Numerous trailheads along the Cherry Creek Regional Trail offer convenient amenities such as parking, restrooms, and picnic shelters. You can find access points in various urban, suburban, and rural areas along the route.

Yes, the South Cherry Creek Trail is generally rated as "easy" and "very accessible." It features gradual elevation changes, making it suitable for a wide range of users, including casual walkers, families with strollers, and beginners.

The trail primarily features an 8-foot-wide concrete surface, providing a smooth and even path. In some of the more rural southern sections, you might encounter short gravel segments. Natural surface options are often available alongside the paved trail for activities like horseback riding or running.

Yes, the trail is very popular for dog walking. A significant draw is the vast, fenced-in off-leash dog park within Cherry Creek State Park, where dogs can enjoy open plains and even swim in the creek.

Given its paved surface and generally easy terrain, this trail is enjoyable year-round. Spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery, while summer is great for early morning or late afternoon excursions. Winter hiking is also possible, though conditions may vary.

There is no general permit required to hike the Cherry Creek Trail itself. However, if you choose to enter specific areas like Cherry Creek State Park, standard park entrance fees may apply.

You'll enjoy a picturesque journey that parallels Cherry Creek, transitioning from urban and suburban settings to more rural environments. The scenery includes cottonwoods, willows, grasslands, neighborhoods, commercial areas, parks, and open spaces. Highlights include passing through Cherry Creek State Park and the Parker Jordan Centennial Open Space.

Yes, the route is a key part of the larger Cherry Creek Regional Trail and the Colorado Front Range Trail. This segment also overlaps with the Denver Orbital Trail and briefly with the Sulphur Gulch Trail and Baldwin Gulch Trail.

The trail is part of the extensive 47-mile Cherry Creek Regional Trail. A significant advantage is that the path often goes under roads, allowing for uninterrupted journeys away from busy traffic. You'll also pass by Railbender Park, which offers facilities.

This segment is approximately 13.4 kilometers (8.3 miles) long. On average, it takes about 3 hours and 25 minutes to complete the hike, depending on your pace and stops.

Yes, alongside the paved trail, natural surface options are often available. These provide a softer underfoot experience, suitable for activities like horseback riding or running, particularly in the more rural sections.